I turned to find a very tall, very thin girl standing in front of me, a friendly smile stretching her mouth wide, her dark brown eyes meeting mine. “Hi!” she chirped, like I should know exactly who she is. “It’s been sooo long, right?”
Frowning, I answered, “Sure?” Was she messing with me or what?
“I mean, it feels like I haven’t been here in forever. And then I see you.” She paused, as if waiting for me to answer with my name.
So I do.
“Annie.”
“Right! Annie.” She nodded, her smile growing wider. “Anyway, Annie. It’s so freaking good to see you again. I’ve been waiting all year for our reunion.” She pulled me into her arms, hugging me tightly, and I had no choice but to hug her back.
“Um, I missed you, too…” My voice drifted and I worried for a moment that this girl could be a total wack job. Or she was playing a trick on me.
“Kelsey.” She pulled away from me, her hands still gripping my shoulders. “I’m sorry I never wrote. I lost your address.”
“More like you never had it,” I reminded her.
Her nose scrunched up, drawing my attention to the many freckles covering it. “Well, you’ve always been a little selfish when it comes to revealing your true self.”
This girl was more on point than she realized. “You know I’m a private person,” I said with a smile.
“Right. I get it. I do. This is why we’re the best of camp friends.” Kelsey started to laugh and gave my shoulders a little shake. “I scare you, don’t I?”
“Sort of,” I admitted, which only made her laugh harder.
“I was just messing with you. Everyone’s having their reunion moments and I was feeling like a total dork. I saw you standing by yourself looking like a dork, too, so I thought I’d break the ice.” Kelsey let go of my shoulders and her laughter faded, though the smile was still firmly in place. “You’re really Annie?”
Wow. I’m impressed with this girl’s bravery. I sort of love it. Maybe I could learn a thing or two from her. “Yeah. And you’re really Kelsey?”
“Yep.” She stood taller, which was saying something because the girl was like, twice as tall as me. “How old are you?”
“Sixteen.”
“Me, too! That means we’ll probably be in the same cabin. We should share a bunk! What do you prefer? Top or bottom?”
“Um, top?” Normally I’d want the bottom, too afraid I might roll over in my sleep and fall off the top. My grandma always said it looked like I wrestled alligators in my sleep, I tangled up the sheets and comforter so much.
“Perfect. I prefer the bottom. I’m too tall; I’ll knock my head into the ceiling.” She grinned, looking rather pleased with herself. “We’re like long-lost reunited camp friends, together again, right?” Before I could reply, she slung her arm around my shoulders and steered me so we were facing the girl at the flagpole, whose cheery veneer was starting to slip a little. “Bet you ten bucks she’s going to blow that whistle as loud as she can in the next five minutes.”
“Can’t take the bet, since I agree with you,” I said as Kelsey dropped her arm from around my shoulders. “She literally looks ready to blow. Her face is red and everything.”
Kelsey laughed. “You’re funny.”
I thought that was pretty amusing, considering she was the one who forged a fake friendship with me in a matter of minutes. “So are you.”
She tucked a wild strand of deep auburn hair behind her ear. “I think we’re going to get along just fine. Though you’ve been warned—sometimes I act a little crazy.”
No kidding, I wanted to say but didn’t. Instead I told her, “So do I.” It was a lie, but I wanted it to be true.
Kelsey nodded, looking pleased. “We’re going to make a perfect team.”
We waited for Clipboard Girl to blow her whistle, getting jostled again and again by people passing by as we chatted about nothing at all. I couldn’t believe how quickly I’d just made a friend.
Maybe I really could be brave Annie this summer.
“This is our cabin.” Our counselor, Hannah, stood on the front porch with a smile before pushing open the creaky door and waving a hand for us to go inside. “Everyone choose your bunk first! Then we’ll introduce ourselves, put away our stuff real quick, and get ready. We’re going down to the lake in thirty minutes, so we have to hurry!”
Hannah’s words froze me and I couldn’t move, though every other girl assigned to G7A pushed past me, knocking into me with their duffel bags, trying to get their preferred bunk before anyone else. I couldn’t believe it. First day here and we were already expected to go swimming? I thought we’d ease into it. Or they’d give us the option and I’d just never have to make that choice. I didn’t want everyone to know I couldn’t swim on the first day we were here. Talk about humiliating.
“Annie! Come here!” Kelsey waved me over to the bunk she was standing next to, and I went to join her, dropping my heavy bag on the floor beside me. We had to make the trek to our cabin carrying our own bags, and since the senior girls’ cabins were the farthest ones out, we had the longest hike. I was freaking exhausted. Hiking was not my thing. Being outdoors really wasn’t my thing, either.
“This is ours. What do you think? You’re still cool with sleeping on the top bunk?” Kelsey asked hopefully.
I nodded, not sure I had any strength left to climb the short ladder that led up to my bed. And I wanted to lie down more than anything.
“Girls!” Hannah clapped her hands and everyone went quiet. “Please say your name, how long you’ve been coming here, and what you’re looking forward to most while you’re at camp.” She nodded at a tall, dark-haired girl. “You go first.”
They all each said their names: Hailey, Kaycee, Caitie, Presley, Bobbee, and Gwen. And what they were most looking forward to: swimming, spending time with their old friends, and hanging out with cute boys.
Seriously. They all said pretty much the same thing. And as for cute boys? I saw plenty of them, including one with dark hair and a scowl on his face as he helped out the camp director. All the girls talked about him on the hike over to our cabin, going on and on about how cute he was and how he really didn’t talk to them. I could tell they’d known one another for years. They’d all been coming to Camp Pine Ridge for a long time and had a strong bond.
“I’m Kelsey,” my new friend announced, smiling at everyone. “This is my second year here and I’m looking forward to making new friends.” She looked at me. “And going on new adventures.”
I smiled in return. It was like Kelsey spoke my language, I swear.
“And last but not least, let’s hear from our newest member of W7A.” Hannah leaned in closer to me. “We take offense to the G standing for girls. So we substitute it with W for women.”
“Oh, I get it.” I sounded so lame.
They all smiled at me, waiting for my introduction.
Clearing my throat, I said, “My name is Annie, and as Hannah said, this is my first year at Camp Pine Ridge. The things I’m most looking forward to are soaking up the camp experience, meeting new friends, and learning how to make a lanyard.”
They all laughed, which was exactly the reaction I’d been looking for. Blushing, I turned back to my bunk, gazing longingly at the mattress that awaited me. I was so tired, but the afternoon had only just begun.
“Okay everyone, now that’s done, listen up! Put your bags over here.” Hannah pointed to an alcove where there was one solid wall of nothing but cubbies. Everyone was talking so fast and so loudly I didn’t think anyone was really paying any attention to what she was saying. “You’re each assigned cubbies. Your names are already on them, so just stash your bags under the table in the corner when you’re finished unpacking.” Hannah clapped again. “You have about fifteen minutes before we leave, so hurry!”
“We have to unpack and be ready to go to the lake in fifteen minutes?” Kelsey asked me under her breath. “After making that hike? She can keep on dr
eaming.”
“No kidding,” I muttered. I’d never been a fan of PE. I didn’t play any organized sports. I never really thought I was out of shape, but I guess I never really thought about my shape, period. I bet I wouldn’t have any problem falling asleep tonight, and I’d sort of worried about that.
When it came to going to camp, I worried about pretty much everything once I got on the bus and we pulled out of the parking lot, my parents still standing there watching us drive away. All my adventurous, I’m going to turn myself into a new person plans faded the farther away I got from home. There was no turning back now. All my old insecurities flared up, reminding me of all the things I didn’t like to do. All of the things I was most afraid of.
Like swimming.
And water.
My mom asked me if I was sure about going to a camp that was literally based around a lake. They were even well known for their water activities. But I figured I’d be able to avoid the water and focus on the arts and crafts stuff.
“They’re not going to like, make us swim or anything, are they?”
Kelsey shrugged. “I doubt it. Though who knows? They might just toss us off the dock and tell us to start kicking.” She grinned.
I was secretly horrified. That sounded like a nightmare, like the absolute worst thing that could ever happen to me.
But I returned Kelsey’s smile and told myself I wasn’t going to let anything bother me. I was here. It was my first day at camp.
I was determined to have a good time.
…
JAKE
“The new campers seem all right,” my uncle Bob said as we walked toward the lake together. I didn’t get a chance to go home to my dad’s over the holiday break between sessions. I ended up spending the Fourth of July hanging out with a few other counselors I’d become friends with since I’d been here. We had a barbecue in the afternoon under the hot blazing sun, and Betsy from the dining hall made her famous potato salad. We hung out in the lake, considering it was too hot to do anything else, and later that night we lit fireworks, sending them high into the sky before they landed in the water with a sizzling hiss.
We had fun. I flirted hard-core with Lacey, one of the counselors for the senior girls. She’s cute and she seems sort of into me, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pursue anything with her, especially when we were stuck together until August. What if we got sick of each other? I didn’t want to take the chance, and while Uncle Bob didn’t necessarily say I couldn’t “date”—his word choice—any of the counselors, I knew he wasn’t big on it, either.
Every other counselor was pairing off with someone, but I felt like I couldn’t. Sucked being related to the guy. Oh, and his knowledge of my rebellious past didn’t help, either.
“Yeah.” I knew he expected me to answer, even though I didn’t really know what to say. Another group of kids had come in, big deal. This meant I’d had to put in real sweat work the last couple of days, cleaning up the grounds, helping paint the dining hall, a project that they never got around to in the spring.
That had been major work. I collapsed into bed every night and slept like the dead. I was still tired and I had to be on my A game, since all those new campers were probably headed straight for the lake, it was so hot.
“There are no activities planned this afternoon, so there’ll be water time instead.” Uncle Bob smiled, resting his hands on his hips. He had on a Camp Pine Ridge T-shirt and I could see tufts of hair sticking up around the neckline. If I still stood a chance of inheriting his hairiness, I’d be investing in wax.
“Right.” I knew I was on water patrol. I’d need to sneak an energy drink before I went out there.
“The big spaghetti feed is tonight, and afterward the kids will be participating in get-to-know-you activities. Bonds all the kids within their cabin groups.” He smiled and nodded. “Never fails, even after all these years.”
“Uh-huh.” He was talking to me like I hadn’t been here so far this summer, but that was just his way. He liked to recite lists, go over everything that was on his mind by saying it out loud. Whatever worked, right? He was quirky, but everyone loved my uncle. They even called him Fozzie Bear because he was so hairy—and our last name was Fazio. I’d even slipped up and called him Fozzie once or twice, though that was strictly a camp nickname. He’d probably kill me if I called him Uncle Fozzie Bear at Thanksgiving.
“You’ll be at the spaghetti feed, right?” He turned to look at me, his sharp gaze making me feel like I probably did something wrong. I racked my brain, trying to remember if I’d screwed up somehow in the last few days, but I came up empty.
“I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss Cook Betsy’s spaghetti for the world.” It was pretty delicious, like most everything she made. Nothing like my mom’s, but no one could beat her cooking, ever.
We stopped near the dock, the both of us staring out at the lake. It was a beautiful but hot day. Nothing but blue skies dotted with puffy white clouds that looked like cotton balls, and the water sparkled and shone from the reflection of the sun. As a kid, this had been my absolute favorite spot. Now it felt kinda like prison, considering I was forced to come work here. It was hard to find any positives to this situation.
“I’ll see you there tonight, then,” Uncle Bob continued. “For now, I’ll need you and Dane working double duty here. I figure the kids are going to be flocking to the water for the entire session, considering it’s the hottest time of the year.”
As if on cue, we could hear them coming for the lake, a low rumbling in the distance like a herd of animals just set free and ready to make their escape. We both turned to watch the older cabin groups headed our way and being led by their counselors. Dane, the head lifeguard for the lakefront, stood at the water’s edge by the canoes and kayaks, which were docked and ready for anyone to take out on the water.
“Ah, here they are. We’d better get to work.” He clapped me on the shoulder, his gaze dropping to my swim trunks. “Good to see you wearing the red shorts. You’ll get tower duty while I keep Dane on the ground. He does better with the ladies. You’re too grumpy.” With a wink and a smile, my uncle strolled away, yelling out his greetings at the kids who were running toward the water. They all chorused back, “Hi, Fozzie Bear!” at the top of their lungs.
Grimacing, I headed off the dock and toward the lifeguard tower.
Summer felt like it was never going to end.
Chapter Three
JAKE
“Hey, Pine Ridge campers, listen up!”
I wanted to groan. Here came Uncle Bob and his giant red-and-white megaphone. His deep voice felt like it could rattle the walls when he screamed into that thing in the dining hall. The place was packed. Everyone was eating dinner and talking so loudly I could hardly hear myself think. But the minute he went to the front of the building, turned his precious megaphone on, and we all heard the squealing feedback?
Everyone went dead silent.
“For some of us, it’s our first night here! How’s everyone feeling?” He waved his free hand up, encouraging everyone to say something.
The entire dining hall erupted in cheering. Even Brian, the junior counselor in charge of cabin B7B, was going along with it¸ and he was almost as sarcastic and jaded as me. This was why we’d become such good friends.
“Okay, okay, simmer down.” Uncle Bob pulled the megaphone away from his mouth and grinned at everyone before he launched into his speech. “My name is Fozzie Bear and I am your camp director.” He did a dead-on imitation of the beloved Muppet, and there was plenty of laughter.
My uncle was the ultimate performer.
“How’s the spaghetti dinner, huh? Can we all give a rousing cheer to Cook Betsy?” Everyone cheered, even me, though I was a little reluctant.
“Yeah, Betsy! We love you!” He made kissy noises through the megaphone, which sounded horrible. “All right, then. I know you’re excited to welcome the new batch of summer friends. But don’t forget we’re all meeting out by the
bonfire pit at eight o’clock sharp! There will be a special skit that was put together by your favorite camp counselors, so get excited, kids! It’s gonna be epic!”
“Your uncle says everything’s epic,” Brian muttered to me, and I nodded my reply. “Epic” was currently Uncle Bob’s favorite word.
He made a few more short announcements and then turned off the megaphone, indicating that he was done. I resumed eating, trying to figure out a way to avoid going to the bonfire pit, when I felt someone come up behind me.
“Hey.” I glanced over my shoulder to find Lacey standing next to our table, a sexy smile curving her pink-glossed lips. “How are you?” she asked.
“Good. How are you?” I said absently, my gaze snagging on a blond head. I’d always had a thing for blondes. This one was a camper with her hair in a ponytail, and it was constantly bouncing up and down, her hair swinging with every flick of her head.
She burst out laughing, and the sound was nothing but pure happiness.
My heart panged, which was stupid. But I didn’t remember the last time I felt like that. Happy. Carefree.
“I’m great.” Lacey’s gaze drifted over me, her lids heavy as she flicked her hair behind her shoulder. My supposed interest in her went totally against type. I’d spent time with Lacey because I was bored and it was something to do. I knew that made me a total asshole but hey, I was embracing it. “So what are you up to tonight?”
Brian nudged me in the ribs, a giant grin on his face. I tried my best to ignore him.
“Not much,” I said, keeping my tone casual as my gaze kept following the blonde. She turned to her right, her gaze snagging on mine for the briefest moment. Her smile was big, her joy radiating all over her face, and our eyes locked for the briefest moment.
I looked away, refocused on Lacey. I couldn’t let myself get interested in the blonde—a camper. No way. That was going against the rules, and Uncle Bob wouldn’t let me get away with shit.
“We should hang together tonight. Later. After the skit,” she said.